Blessed Are The Animals

AFTER having to stop a raging bull dead in its tracks, blessing a few dozen abandoned animals seems like a breeze.

Venerable Yana Dolma from the Arya Tara Gold Coast Buddhist Centre will be sending a healing and calming wishes on the cats and dogs of the Animal Welfare League tomorrow, between 5.30pm and 8pm.

{ read the full article here }

Do you feel blessed to have the pets you have in your life ?

Share your stories in the comments below :-)

Ban would send shop to doghouse - what's your opinion ?

This article as hit Facebook and it’s “stirred” up a heap of furry over the sale of pets in pet shops.

Ban would send shop to doghouse

from Queensland Times newspaper ….

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

What’s you opinion ?

Place your comment below or join us on the Gold Coast Pets facebook community.

TICKS ARE BACK

The Vet Lounge posted on Facebook: We are starting to see more cases of tick paralysis at the clinic. Ticks are very small but are extremely deadly.

Here are some of the comments following this Facebook status update:

My dog got one recently. It's too early for ticks!! *feeling paranoid*

Took my first tick out last week... am usually too nervous and rush to the vet, was much easier than expected.

They are indeed back !!!

{ click here for a free eBook on Ticks }

RSCPA QLD ALERT -- Beloved pet baited - a cruel and painful death

Beloved pet baited - a cruel and painful death
by RSPCA Qld Inc. on Monday, 13 September 2010 at 15:04

RSPCA Qld is appealing for help in finding the person who baited Bronx, a nine month old Dachshund, at Jodie Court in Mermaid Waters on August 14th.

The nine month old de-sexed male was seen in the backyard eating what appeared to be mince in the early hours of the morning. Knowing that she hadn’t given this to him, Bronx’s owner ran out and found what appeared to be white powder mixed in with the mince. Within ten minutes Bronx started to convulse and was rushed to the vet. Within 40 minutes of arriving he had a further six fits and died. Bronx didn’t stand a chance.

Last Friday pathology reports handed to the RSPCA indicated that he had been poisoned with an extremely high dose of strychnine. This would also have proved fatal to a child and possibly even an adult. Humans and other animals can be poisoned by inhalation, swallowing or absorption through the eyes or mouth.

“Strychnine produces some of the most dramatic and painful symptoms of any known toxic reaction,” said RSPCA Qld Inspector Sommer Heath Crilley. “The road to eventual death is excruciating.”

Anyone with any information can contact RSPCA Qld’s Cruelty Complaints hotline on 1300 852 188.

Gold Coast Pet and Animal Expo 2010 - Dr Chris Brown - The Bondi Vet

Dr Chris Brown

The Bondi Vet

on the outside stage at the Gold Coast Pet and Animal Expo 2010

Arthritis in Dogs …. What Can You Do?

AUTHOR: Dr Kevin Cruickshank

Successful arthritis treatment can do wonders for a dog’s quality

of life. Frequently the signs are simply ascribed to “old

age” and only once your dog is on treatment do you

realise how much arthritis pain was affecting them.

General stiffness, slow to get up or lie down, and slowing or dragging on walks are key signs. Arthritic dogs battle on stairs and often can no longer jump up into the car.

Best results are achieved with a combination of treatments. There are 3 major areas - Weight Loss, Controlled Exercise and Medications. Carrying excess weight makes it harder to cope, burdens the painful joints and accelerates the damage. Don’t simply try reducing what you feed – consider a specialised weight loss diet. With controlled calories and special added ingredients such as L-Carnitine and Lysine, you’ll be amazed with the results and your dog won’t be constantly hungry.

Exercising within your dogs abilities is crucial. Calculate your walks to end BEFORE the point where your dog starts to lag behind. As they improve they’ll cope with longer distances. Little and often is key. Aim to exercise daily – it’s a case of use it or loose it. Deep water swimming is an excellent exercise - it takes the weight off painful joints.

Anti-inflammatory medications will make a radical improvement. We can help you select the best brand for your dog. This is often based on the form they come in, as well as your budget. Common forms are syrup added to food, chewable tablets as well as traditional capsules or tablets.

Anti-inflammatories work both as direct pain killers, as well as by stopping the inflammation of arthritis itself – hence they actually treat the problem rather than just masking the symptoms. Additionally we can improve

the lubrication in joints, help control inflammation and change

the course of the disease with Pentosan injections. Once initiated,

some dogs may only need an injection once every 3 months.

Glucosamine is a fantastic supplement that helps control arthritis. Glucosamine works by keeping cartilage, the shock absorber of joints, healthy. It comes in many forms and it is best to look for a product that also contains Chondroitin, as well as ingredients such as MSN and Vitamin C. We prefer to use products that DO NOT come from Shark Cartilage. Green Lipped Muscle Extract is also useful. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, and mostly comes in a powder form. Fortunately there are now several excellent Joint Diets available that include many of these supplements. Sensibly they also focus on preventing obesity. And of course the little things help too. Keep them warm in the cooler weather and provide soft, non-slip bedding.

So through a combination of weight control, tailored exercise, special joint diet and anti-inflammatories, your dog can enjoy a new lease on life and win back their mobility. Don’t let them struggle any longer – book in for an Arthritis Check today if you have any concerns about your pet's mobility.

AUTHOR: Dr Kevin

Cruickshank

Dr Kevin along with his lovely wife Fiona own Gold Coast Vet Surgery.

"Where Pets Are Family" !

WEBSITE: www.goldcoastvet.com.au

Help the Animal Welfare League at the Gold Coast With Its Fundraising by Attending this Unique Seminar!

Help! My Dog is Home Alone and Unhappy!

☞ ☞ click here to book your place ☜ ☜

A Pet-Fix Seminar for the Animal Welfare League with Dr Cam Day

Why Should You Attend this Seminar?

You should attend this seminar if you are worried about your dog's home-alone behaviours which may include:-

• morose or sad behaviour on leaving
• distressed behaviour while absent such as
• howling or screaming
• destructive behaviour
• escaping behaviour
• house-soiling
• self-harming tendencies
• ballistic attention seeking when you arrive

Sometimes problems like this mean your dog has a Separation Anxiety but there are also other reasons for behaviours like this.

This seminar will deal with a range of 'home alone' behaviours in detail, including behaviours often described as a Separation Anxiety.

The solutions discussed in this Pet Fix Seminar will be science-based and sensible and based on solutions Dr Cam implements for the home-alone behaviours he sees regularly, including those serious cases of separation anxiety You can be sure the information you receive will be practical and solution-based.

The information shared is very similar to the advice Dr Cam shares in his face-to-face consultations which means you will get the benefit of a personal consultation but at a fraction of the price.

You will receive worksheets so you can add your own notes and you will be emailed a detailed Separation Anxiety Pet Fix and other relative information after the seminar which will link you to further solutions on your dog’s behaviour.

Podcasts of information shared will also be sent to you after the event so you can listen to the information again to ensure you get all the good information.

Help the Animal Welfare League at the Gold Coast With Its Fundraising by Attending this Unique Seminar

☞ ☞ click here to book your place ☜ ☜

Expected Outcomes:

At the completion of this seminar you will:

• understand why your dog has developed his or her home-alone behaviours
• be better placed to determine if the problem is agenuine separation anxiety
• know how to recognise signs of your dog's distress before you leave so you can remedy the problem
• have learnt a variety of techniques to teach your dog to be calm when separated from you, including, theTrial Separation Technique
• understand why punishment should be avoidedand why you need to be cautious if you areconsidering the use of electric collars for any home-alone howling or barking
• also discover solutions for boredom-relatedbehaviours
• know if and when pheromones and/or medicationsare indicated

Bonuses

One month's membership to Pethealth.com.au is included as part of your Seminar fee ($22 additional value) so that all the separation anxiety information and other behavioural problems on Pethealth.com.au will be freely available. If you are already a member, your membership will be EXTENDED for 1 month.

Content

• A four-point plan you can easily employ to get the best result possible your dog's home alone behaviours
• Unique and fascinating ways of spying on your dog while you are away
• Why lifestyle-enrichment methods are the core of the solution for home-alone behaviours
• Calming strategies to use at leaving time
• Unique solutions to boredom that will keep your dog entertained
• The role of pheromones and/or medications for separation-anxiety-like problems including when they are needed and when they are not
• Question time

☞ ☞ click here to book your place ☜ ☜

Details

When	Thursday 24th June 2010 6:30pm for 7pm start Concludes at 9:30 pm approximately
Venue	Animal Welfare League Gold Coast Conference Room Shelter Road, Coombabah, Gold Coast
Cost	$55.00 which includes: 1 month's membership to Pethealth.com.au (Membership means you get additional discounts in fees, services and products after the seminar) course notes a detailed barking pet pick which is sent after the seminar recorded podcasts from the night a light supper at interval MEMBER'S BONUS If you are already a member, your membership will be extended by 1 month

Price: $55.00 inc. GST

From Friend to Friend

by Karen Clouston

Use and share this poem with those who have to ever make the heart-wrenching decision to help our animal companions transition from this life... I'll fore-warn you now: GET SOME TISSUES! This made me cry in memory of Bibs and Puddy (my most recent feline animal companions whom I had to help transition).

You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud

But really, love is knowing
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic, that will
Once more make me whole

The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner 'til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift,
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
...a strong dog once again.

A fundraiser for the Animal Welfare League

Getting Good Behaviour from Pets

Thursday April 29, Animal Welfare League, Coombabah, Gold Coast.

Click to book

The first of many seminars to be held at the Animal Welfare League, this seminar is all about how to get the best behaviour you can from your cat or dog.

The Getting Good Behaviour from Pets seminar is ideally suited to pet owners, pet trainers, veterinarians, vet nurses, pet groomers... basically anyone who has an interest in how to humanely and kindly create behaviour change in animals.

Focusing on how to create this behaviour change using positive reinforcement, and how to identify whether or not you're rewarding theright behaviour, this seminar is a must for all pet owners who want to help their pet be the best it can be.

Many talk about positive reinforcement training, but few know the secrets of how that works. This seminar will tell you those secrets.

This seminar is a fundraiser for the Animal Welfare League, and tickets cost $55. Included in the price is a bonus one month's membership to www.PETHEALTH.com.au, valued at $22.

Click to book

Dog and Baby Crying Together

What I found amusing with this video wasn't just the fact that the Dog was reacting to the baby crying... watch the baby's reaction. That was the humourous part for me: it shut up. So I guess the moral of the story here is if you want to stop your baby crying: get the dog to start howling (aka "crying")

hahaha! enjoy !!

Do you have an amusing dog video to share ?

Post it in within the Facebook Fan Page to share!

THE DOG WHISPERER CONTROVERSY

Please feel free to have a read of [ this article ]. Due to copyright, I cannot publish any part of it on my blog thus you will have to go to the article itself first.

The article is very well written, in my opinion. For those who adore Caesar Milan, it might be a good read. Times change, as does research... thus those of us who deal with dogs as owners or as professionals in any capacity should keep "on top" of these changes.

This is where using food as the drive mechanism to initiate training or behaviour modifications is the standard "go to" for most trainers. Dogs are more like water-ed down versions of wolf puppies who rely on the "alpha male and female" (who are their mum and dad).

"Power struggles with dogs communicate no more leadership than an adult human “dominating” a small child or an armed bank robber and his hostages." Lisa Mullinax, CPDT

{ read the article here }

Dinner Time Fun - Tracking & Nosework

The following is one of my favourite activities to do with dogs if I am able to do so. This is especially great to give blind or sight disadvantaged dogs something mentally stimulating to do (of course in a safe environment).

Would you believe that your dog is capable of following a track left by a person and finding them at the end, and that you can teach this in the time it takes to feed his normal daily meal without any extra training? Many dog owners are learning about the sport of Tracking. Find out if your dog has what it takes to be the next Tracking Champion or Search and Rescue hero!

The plan is really quite simple. You take a portion of your dog's normal meal in a plastic bag. Then you 'lay the track', just walk normally across your yard, placing a piece of food in each step.

( read more .... )

Dog Dominance

Is a fact however choose to be an effective leader not a dominator. This is what your dog seeks. This is what will help you to overcome behaviour problems.

Good leaders set consistent (never arbitrary) rules and boundaries.

I will repeat:

Good leaders set consistent (never arbitrary) rules and boundaries.

This means that as soon as you are in your dog's life (whether as a puppy or adoption of an older dog) - the rules and boundaries you set forth must be followed by you not just your dog.

The shortest path to solving a behavior problem is to look at the behavior for what it is. What purpose does it serve? How is this problem behavior working for the dog? Are this dog's needs being met? What behavior would we like to see instead of the unwanted behavior?

Then we can set about making what works for the dog the same thing that works for us, like a good leader should.

-- Aidan Bindoff ( website )

Dogs get bored if they never leave home

I am unsure who pointed me to this article however I agree! If you do not want the expense of professional dog trainers, hire the services of someone like myself who will gladly exercise your dog(s) !

"It's too hot" is not a viable excuse: just walk them sooner or opt to have a "night" walk ! Yes, I can and will do after sunset night walks if viable.

"I cannot afford it" is also another poor excuse: can you afford the costs of a professional dog trainer to sort out the problems bored/under-exercised dogs will end up creating ? In the scheme of things, I am rather affordable.

Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog!

by Susan Sharpe and Beth Hough

Winter months are very busy for dog trainers. Previously well-behaved dogs begin chewing, jumping, barking and seem to be out of control.

Dog owners fail to make the connection between their dog's unwanted behavior and the fact they are walking them less – or not at all, because of the weather.

Continue reading this article

please visit my website for more information about my dog walking service

Choosing the right dog for apartment living

Disclaimer: The owner of this blog is not the author of this article. The author is currently unknown. If you are the author of this article, please contact me so you can be given credit.

As a Veterinary Technician, one of the most often asked questions I get is how to choose the right dog. Without knowing your living situation, this is a hard question to answer. Today, I am going to give you a list of dogs that I feel are best for apartment living. The most important thing to think about when getting a new dog is how much time you will have to spend with it. Next is where to purchase it? I always suggest adopting from a shelter or breeder. Never buy a dog from a pet store because, they get their puppies from Puppy mills. You need to research the breeds that have the best temperament for your needs. If you have children, it’s important to get a dog that will be good around them. After that, you need to consider health issues for certain breeds, and the cost of Vet care. I would urge you to look into mix breeds as well. Just because it’s not a pure breed does not mean they will not make a good dog. The following dogs are my picks that do well in an apartment setting.

1. Japanese Chin

These dogs are ideal for apartment living. Japanese Chins are gentle, friendly, and obedient. They have no odor, rarely bark and love to be held. Full grown Chins weigh 7 pounds.

2. Shih Tzu

This beautiful dog is quiet, easy going, very trusting, great with kids and needs minimal exercise. They weigh 16 pounds fully grown. Require weekly brushing.

3. Pekingese

Their small size makes them a good choose for apartment life. They do not require a yard and need minimal exercise. Pekingese are intelligent, good natured and opinionated. May not be the best dog around small children. They also need weekly brushing.

4. Chihuahua

These little guys are perfect for living in small quarters. Chihuahua’s are protective, confident, brave, curious, playful and not good for small children. They only weigh 4 pounds fully grown.

5. Yorkshire Terrier

These darlings don’t require a lot of exercise. They are intelligent, assertive, make good watch dogs, travel well, and have a big personality in a small package. A full grown Yorki weighs 7 pounds.

6. Boston Terrier

Known as the American gentleman, these dogs make incomparable companions. They can be mischievous, affectionate, good with other dogs, and great with kids. They only need moderate exercise and require minimal grooming. Only get 24 pounds fully grown.

7. Pug

Pugs are big eaters and are said to be a lot of dog in a small space. They adapt easily, are great family dogs, even tempered, and outgoing, with a loving disposition. They do shed but require little grooming and posses a great charm.

8. Miniature Schnauzer

Always willing to please, these dogs do love to bark and be a watch dog. They are fearless, alert, intelligent, strong and quick to learn. They are obedient and easy to maintain. At fully grown they get to be 18 pounds.

Christmas Ideas from Wildlife Warriors

Visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au for more information !

Crikey! Christmas is nearly upon us and what a year it has been. We have been very busy saving wildlife and wild places around the world and would like to thank each and everyone of you for your contribution to our conservation efforts. Without you, none of it would have been possible.

To read more about what's happened this year, why not take a look at some of the fundraising and events that have taken place by clicking here or read some of the incredible stories about our Wildlife Warriors around the world by clicking here.

Wildlife Warriors also has your Christmas gift list sorted. Please support us by giving a gift that gives hope to our precious wildlife.

Christmas Ideas

• Purchase your special Wildlife Warrior Christmas cards that are sure to melt the hearts of your friends and family. Purchase singly or in packs of ten by visiting our online store by clicking here

• Why not give a Koala Crusader donation as a gift and your chosen recipient will receive a limited edition keyring and a certificate, all in aid of funding vital research into koala diseases. To find out moreclick here

• Visit Karma Currency and choose from one of the various Wildlife Warrior gifts you can give to your loved one. All proceeds support our global wildlife conservation efforts

• Steve Irwin Day might be over but you can still help our Joey Ambassadors by giving them a christmas donation by clicking here

Thanks again for all your support throughout the year. It's been truly wonderful having you onboard with us and the team look forward to another successful year of wildlife conservation in 2010 with you.

Yours in conservation,

The Wildlife Warriors Crew

Visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au for more information !

Training & Behaviour Workshop with Steve Courtney

Information Sheet (PDF)

I'm excited to attend the workshop! Whilst it is designed for actual dog owners than someone in my position (where I am dealing with a myriad of dogs). I am planning to attend with one or both dogs of a client of mine (with her permission). In the end, I don't have to attend with a dog though it would be beneficial.

I'm planning to bring along my camera + taking as much video as possible.

Naturally, I will blog about the experience and everything I learnt.

Stay tuned !

Worldwide Internet Puppy Scams

Please contact me asap if you are aware of someone

fraudulently using Gold Coast Pet Sitting name and/or logo.

From Dogmovers

… the world wide web .. i.e., the internet .. provides potential pet owners with a wide variety of information as well as the chance to purchase a pet and/or adopt a pet.

… we recently have been made aware of off-shore based companies purporting to be affiliated with various Pet transport businesses including our own as either agents, or partners.

Dogmovers is based on the Gold Coast in Australia, We have only one office in Australia and are not involved with international transport of pets of any kind. We transport pets only within the states of NSW & QLD in Australia and we only transport pets by Road. Never by Air.

We have no partners or affiliates anywhere. We do work closely with several local pet transport businesses however it is normal for us to contact all parties directly by phone to finalise any arrangements concerning bookings with us. We do not usually finalise any details via email.

Additionally in most cases payment for our services is made directly to our driver at the point where he picks up or drops off your pet, In the event that a client chooses to pay via credit card or internet Banking the details are relayed directly from us by phone. We do not hold bank accounts outside of Australia.

At this point we are aware of instances of our name and logo being used in relation to scams in North America as well as the names ANIMAL MOVERS CO LTD & Animal movers pet carriers & Air animal pet movers being used in Australia. In all of the instances we are aware of the pets concerned were British bulldog pups, being given away. All monies requested were for transport or vet services prior to travel.

… the common business profile of the off-shore based company is to have you transfer several hundred dollars to their off-shore locations …. Once they “set the hook” into you with your initial deposit .. .. they come back with a sense of urgency …. indicating there are additional funds required to have veterinarians conduct “tests” before the pet is released to you … and then request generally an additional USD$150.00 …. As you review their e mails to you …always with a sense of urgency directed towards you .. the unsuspecting consumer … you will observe frequent errors in spelling and significant errors in sentence structure.

… another identifier of the off-shore based company is their reluctance to provide you with flight details, airline schedules, and air cargo air way bill tracking numbers … the off-shore based company will only provide you with information after you have wired them additional funds.

If you have any doubts check out the companies website. If they are using the name Dogmovers and after reading the above you are still not sure, call us on (07) 5530 2710 and don't pay the money.

The following is a copy from an email distributed recently which i believe is linked to the current scam (we received this twice)...

Hi,

I am looking to place a litter of 5 adorable bulldog puppies and also the parents, they belong to my late mother in law who I was really close to and she passed away unexpectedly, she is so much in love with the bulldog breed, that she breeds only once a year for the love of the breed. My husband and I recently moved to a new apartment where pets are not allowed. I want to find these lovely puppies and the adults a permanent loving and caring homes, if you are interested in having them, please contact me immediately.

Have a nice day.

Jessica

If you wish to report a scam you can contact the following Queensland links or locate similar organisations in your own state.

Queensland Police Computer Crime Investigation Unit

External email - cciu@bigpond.com.au
Telephone - 61 7 3364 6943 or 61 7 3364 4113
Facsimile - 61 7 3364 6549

Brisbane Office of Fair Trading
Email: BrisbaneOFT@dtftwid.qld.gov.au
Level 21, State Law Building, 50 Ann Street, Brisbane
GPO Box 3111, Brisbane, QLD, 4001
Facsimile: (07) 3246 1589

Nationally, Scamwatch is part of the ACCC

http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011

If you have any other info that you think I should ad to the above let me know. I can be contacted by email at info@dogmovers.com.au

David Gallagher,

Dogmovers { SOURCE }